1. How is everyone? Anything positive to report during lockdown? We will name things we want to pray about later.
2. Recognition of where we are. Many join in the bold.
A Psalm of lament and praise in a time of coronavirus
How shall we praise you, Lord, our God?
When we are locked down,
how shall we praise you?
When the doors to your house are barred,
and your people cannot assemble?
When those desperately in need of money and work
cannot even wait in the market-place
When we have to circle round people in the street,
and to queue for shops maintaining safe distance?
When we can only communicate
by hearing on the phone,
or seeing on the screen
or digitally messaging,
or even just waving through a window?
When we cannot meet our parents and children,
grandparents and grandchildren,
or other family members and friends?
When we cannot touch them in their flesh and blood,
to know they are really alive?
How shall we praise you?
How, like Thomas, shall we not see yet believe
that your son is raised among us?
How shall we praise you?
How can I praise you, Lord?
Are you plaguing us with this virus
to punish us because we have all done wrong,
or thought wrongly,
or felt wrongly,
or just been wrong?
If so, why do only some die,
and those, apparently, the ones who are the least worst or most caring amongst us?
Or are you trying to teach us a lesson?
If so, why is it so hard to learn?
And how are we to find the answer
when we do not even know the question?
Or are you still the same loving God,
coming to us in our sufferings
and opening up the way to new life in Jesus?
Lord, I will try to praise you.
Through gritted teeth,
I will try to praise you.
I will try to remember that you have created all things,
and this virus is part of your creation.
I will try not to hate it
but seek to mitigate its harm.
I will try to keep myself and others safe.
I will work to pray for them
and seek to help in whatever way I can.
Lord, when I cannot pray or worship
help me be aware of all your people
and your saints and angels
hovering around me,
lifting me up.
When I feel alone,
let me feel you near me,
even if only for a moment that enables me to go on.
Let me hear you say
“Peace be with you”
Lord, I will praise you.
Let all the peoples praise you.
3. Song of determination – Jesus Christ is waiting
I have taken this from the service on Sunday gone – to link our prayers and thoughts to our whole community. Listen and sing as you feel appropriate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1E3Zug1nIg&t=3469s from 47.17
4. Listen, reflect, discuss.
https://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/3/f/2/3f2c78681eec831a/Everybody_Now.mp3?c_id=85965740&cs_id=85965740&expiration=1604433933&hwt=dc3c43b40a825ed541765bc8496fb24e
32.02 First theologian
54.34 Second theologian
5. Prayers
For people living with the effects of climate change now:
One: For the sake of those facing rising temperatures, drought and water shortages,
Many: Creator God, in your mercy, renew this damaged world.
One: For the sake of those facing unpredictable weather, disrupted seasons and failed crops,
Many: Creator God, in your mercy, renew this damaged world.
One: For the sake of those facing flooding, land loss and salination of vital water supplies,
Many: Creator God, in your mercy, renew this damaged world.
One: For the sake of all those who fear the changing climate,
Many: Creator God, in your mercy, renew this damaged world.
One: For the sake of the poor, the vulnerable, and the refugee
Many: Creator God, in your mercy, renew this damaged world.
One: For the sake of us all,
Many: Creator God, in your mercy, recreate our hearts that we might partner with you to renew this damaged world.
Community prayers – name people or situations that need prayer, aloud or in the silence of our hearts.
One: God in your mercy
Many: hear our prayer
6. Silence is kept.
Among out thoughts and prayers, let us think forward to Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), as our services will have these foci over the month too.
7. Action: please continue to think about a potential action from the house group of indeed the church.
8. Irish blessing – our song for November house group (fade at 3.10)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wekp8XB4AoE
2. Recognition of where we are. Many join in the bold.
A Psalm of lament and praise in a time of coronavirus
How shall we praise you, Lord, our God?
When we are locked down,
how shall we praise you?
When the doors to your house are barred,
and your people cannot assemble?
When those desperately in need of money and work
cannot even wait in the market-place
When we have to circle round people in the street,
and to queue for shops maintaining safe distance?
When we can only communicate
by hearing on the phone,
or seeing on the screen
or digitally messaging,
or even just waving through a window?
When we cannot meet our parents and children,
grandparents and grandchildren,
or other family members and friends?
When we cannot touch them in their flesh and blood,
to know they are really alive?
How shall we praise you?
How, like Thomas, shall we not see yet believe
that your son is raised among us?
How shall we praise you?
How can I praise you, Lord?
Are you plaguing us with this virus
to punish us because we have all done wrong,
or thought wrongly,
or felt wrongly,
or just been wrong?
If so, why do only some die,
and those, apparently, the ones who are the least worst or most caring amongst us?
Or are you trying to teach us a lesson?
If so, why is it so hard to learn?
And how are we to find the answer
when we do not even know the question?
Or are you still the same loving God,
coming to us in our sufferings
and opening up the way to new life in Jesus?
Lord, I will try to praise you.
Through gritted teeth,
I will try to praise you.
I will try to remember that you have created all things,
and this virus is part of your creation.
I will try not to hate it
but seek to mitigate its harm.
I will try to keep myself and others safe.
I will work to pray for them
and seek to help in whatever way I can.
Lord, when I cannot pray or worship
help me be aware of all your people
and your saints and angels
hovering around me,
lifting me up.
When I feel alone,
let me feel you near me,
even if only for a moment that enables me to go on.
Let me hear you say
“Peace be with you”
Lord, I will praise you.
Let all the peoples praise you.
3. Song of determination – Jesus Christ is waiting
I have taken this from the service on Sunday gone – to link our prayers and thoughts to our whole community. Listen and sing as you feel appropriate.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1E3Zug1nIg&t=3469s from 47.17
4. Listen, reflect, discuss.
https://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/3/f/2/3f2c78681eec831a/Everybody_Now.mp3?c_id=85965740&cs_id=85965740&expiration=1604433933&hwt=dc3c43b40a825ed541765bc8496fb24e
32.02 First theologian
- Natural evil versus moral evil? Any thoughts?
- Revelatory moment. How can we play our part in this?
- How can we imagine our relationship with the world around us?
54.34 Second theologian
- Re-wilding the environment; have you experienced this?
- Crisis has shown vitality and interconnectedness
- There is a great crisis coming AND stand firm and be confident that you are reconciled and loved
- Do we believe him? Oops …..?
5. Prayers
For people living with the effects of climate change now:
One: For the sake of those facing rising temperatures, drought and water shortages,
Many: Creator God, in your mercy, renew this damaged world.
One: For the sake of those facing unpredictable weather, disrupted seasons and failed crops,
Many: Creator God, in your mercy, renew this damaged world.
One: For the sake of those facing flooding, land loss and salination of vital water supplies,
Many: Creator God, in your mercy, renew this damaged world.
One: For the sake of all those who fear the changing climate,
Many: Creator God, in your mercy, renew this damaged world.
One: For the sake of the poor, the vulnerable, and the refugee
Many: Creator God, in your mercy, renew this damaged world.
One: For the sake of us all,
Many: Creator God, in your mercy, recreate our hearts that we might partner with you to renew this damaged world.
Community prayers – name people or situations that need prayer, aloud or in the silence of our hearts.
One: God in your mercy
Many: hear our prayer
6. Silence is kept.
Among out thoughts and prayers, let us think forward to Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), as our services will have these foci over the month too.
7. Action: please continue to think about a potential action from the house group of indeed the church.
8. Irish blessing – our song for November house group (fade at 3.10)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wekp8XB4AoE
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